Commercial farmers in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt have mobilized resources for the re-gravelling and rehabilitation of the Mpongwe Machiya road.
This follows an engagement made to the farmers by district commissioner Keith Maila for the road to be worked on pending government’s upgrade of the stretch to bituminous standard.
Mr Maila said the road was a vital economic factor to the district housing various commercial farms which are vital to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
He stated that the farming community was engaged to work on the road using their own resources awaiting governments tarring of the stretch.
“You know this road is earmarked for tarring but government is constrained at the moment with this Covid 19, so we thought of engaging the commercial farmers to work on the road as we await government to tar this road.” He said.
Among the commercial farmers engaged to tar the road are Zataka, Zamhatch, Novatek and Somahwe estates.
Meanwhile, motorists have expressed happiness with the gesture by the commercial farmers.
Government is soon expected to tar the Mpongwe Machiya road upon completion of all contractual procedures.
KPPM, a South African based company has been engaged to tar the stretch once due diligence is completed with the ministry of finance.
Way to go
Good work
These are serious farmers, the equipment I saw at Zamhatch might be possibly the only one in this region. This is the road that MCS wanted to link Copperbelt to Mumbwa so that you don’t have to get to Lusaka to go to Western province. Indeed the road has suffered many years of neglect. It has potential to open up that area to serious economic development that can add substantially to the GDP. The receives adequate rain and the red soils are fertile.
The investors who come in this country including the locals have an obligation to contribute in the development of the area they operate in and not just to make money for themselves. This is what has brought war in the delta region where multi national oil accompanies like shell spectra and others make billions of dollars and cannot even repair roads or building a simple clinic. This is what corporate social responsibility calls for.
This is as it should be. Not these thieves who build mansions in swamps hoping they will still be safe. I hope those in residential areas will begin to mobilize in similar measure. You will die of hope if you wait for incompetent budget holders.
Awe, condemnation should go to govt who instead of providing these services are busy over pricing road contracts so they can steal. If there was no theft resources would stretch enough to do such things. But no, not this boma.
Road works by government that have been pending for 20 years ? ?????
@Simon Mwansa, the obligation of investors, both local and foreign, ends at paying their taxes. No one sets up a business to make money to distribute to the poor, we make money for ourselves and we can’t be forced to give. So what these farmers have done is very commendable as it is beyond their obligation. It’s the responsibility of Govt to manage public resources prudently.
Wow.. this is good. Corperate social responsibility
Why Africa is under developed. You pay tax to a government whose leader buys a gulfstream, jet and expect investors to develop your roads and never question were you tax goes…
Yet the gulfstream money could develop hundreds of these farms.
Ba Samson Mwansa why do I pay tax? So that government can have money to build infrastructure such as roads. However when government officials steal that tax as has been happening in Zambia the past 3 decades this Mpongwe road is constructed by the victims of the theft. This happens when politicians get into office with the mentality that putting their hands on tax money is what they go into office for. Just look at all the politicians show me one who is in it for the job and not to steal
Our hard-working DC,just the best
Hardworking Dc he feels for others. Good leadership bosd